Client conf

[oliverson]

So, been invited to client's HQ for a 'summer conference' at the expense of the client (long distance flights, hotels, etc).

What's the thinking here regards IR35? Meetings are meetings but events are, well, very permie-like things. What about the funding of it? My Ltd should probably be paying and then expensing the client, should I decide to go.

[eek]

So, been invited to client's HQ for a 'summer conference' at the expense of the client (long distance flights, hotels, etc).

What's the thinking here regards IR35? Meetings are meetings but events are, well, very permie-like things. What about the funding of it? My Ltd should probably be paying and then expensing the client, should I decide to go.

I suspect client will want to handle the airline side of things (that was always the case in my experience) but hotels end up being paid by credit card and claimed back.

[ladymuck]

What is the purpose of the conference? Are all suppliers invited to attend and have their expenses paid?

[Lance]

ir35 bad....

business class flights though? **** it... off you go

[northernladuk]

So, been invited to client's HQ for a 'summer conference' at the expense of the client (long distance flights, hotels, etc).

What's the thinking here regards IR35? Meetings are meetings but events are, well, very permie-like things. What about the funding of it? My Ltd should probably be paying and then expensing the client, should I decide to go.

I'll bet if it was a weekend stop over in Premimer Inn in Dagenham sometime in a soaking wet February you'd know the answer. Does the fact it's abroad and looks really tasty affect the IR35 situation? No it doesn't. Forget the location, look at what it's for and who's going.

I could be wrong, only you will know, but by the sound of that it's purely a permie event. They won't be expensing their suppliers to go to it. The fact they've asked you smacks that you are part and parcel already TBH. But to understand the risk you really want to dig in to the detail. Are any other suppliers bar contractors going? If only contractors I'd be worrying the client doesn't really understand the outside determination they signed.

IMO just on the basis of what you've said and the agenda of similar things I've seen it's a complete no no from and IR35 perspective and you should be declining all day long. I suspect it's a very attractive trip which is why you've left your IR35 hat at the door.

If you think you can justify going because there are key meetings regarding to work you directly deliver then that's up to you but can you really be impartial enough to come to the same conclusion HMIT would come to? If you do decide to go then you pay the lot for yourself.

Of if you just don't care and it's the clients problem then go but I really don't like this option personally.

[jamesbrown]

It isn't going to tip the balance between inside and outside IR35 in itself. This is a US client, right? Very hard to exact sufficient D&C, in reality. Still, I probably wouldn't go unless there were a significant opportunity to gain more business. If there were that opportunity, I would pay for it myself. If it's a circle jerk with a bunch of permies, I wouldn't touch it, but not primarily because of IR35, more because WTF would you want to?

[northernladuk]

If it's a circle jerk with a bunch of permies, I wouldn't touch it, but not primarily because of IR35, more because WTF would you want to?

Wait till he tells you where it is. I'm guessing it's somewhere interesting and the evening do's and entertainment outweigh the 8 hours of drivel. A certain large phara in the Manchester area regularly did events in many different countries and I would have put up with a days jerking just to get the chance to go and explore in the evenings.

If the HQ is in Vegas it's going to be extremely tempting to go whatever rubbish goes on during the day.

[jamesbrown]

Wait till he tells you where it is. I'm guessing it's somewhere interesting and the evening do's and entertainment outweigh the 8 hours of drivel. A certain large phara in the Manchester area regularly did events in many different countries and I would have put up with a days jerking just to get the chance to go and explore in the evenings.

If the HQ is in Vegas it's going to be extremely tempting to go whatever rubbish goes on during the day.

Or you could just go to Vegas anytime you wanted, I guess

You're not going to save that much, a couple of grand. Personally, I wouldn't feck around with that to save a couple of grand, especially if the OP isn't billing (and they shouldn't be if it's an opportunity to gain more business, rather than a permie handhold).

[oliverson]

Wait till he tells you where it is. I'm guessing it's somewhere interesting and the evening do's and entertainment outweigh the 8 hours of drivel. A certain large phara in the Manchester area regularly did events in many different countries and I would have put up with a days jerking just to get the chance to go and explore in the evenings.

If the HQ is in Vegas it's going to be extremely tempting to go whatever rubbish goes on during the day.

it’s not Vegas, it’s Niagra Falls!!

[jamesbrown]

A bit cold and a bit naff, then.